Atchison, KS vs Hays, KS

There is a significant gap in the cost of living between these two cities. Atchison is 16.5% cheaper than Hays. With a cost index of 64 vs 76, the difference would have a meaningful impact on a household's monthly budget. Someone relocating from Atchison to Hays should plan for substantially higher expenses across most categories.

On the housing front, median rent in Atchison is $736/month compared to $890/month in Hays — a 17% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Atchison is more affordable at $130,200 median vs $220,100.

Median household income in Atchison is $54,695 compared to $56,861 in Hays (-3.8%). Hays does offer higher incomes, but the salary premium barely offsets the higher cost of living, leaving residents with a tighter budget. Looking at affordability, residents of Atchison spend roughly 16.1% of their income on rent, less than the 18.8% in Hays.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (53.7°F vs 54.8°F). Atchison receives more rainfall at 34.8" per year compared to 24.8" in Hays.